Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX Review

If the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX had more long-term durable eyelets and maybe stitching for some of the more cosmetic accent elements, we'd go from appreciating this boot to gushing about it. Merrell's ultralight take comes in a variety of cool color options, and most of them look undeniably handsome: In our opinion, the Moab Speed 2 looks modern without looking like alien tech. Better yet, we loved how light it felt while climbing alpine trails and exploring granite slabs. Plus, it was stable and supportive enough to go backpacking.

Comfort

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX has outstanding out-of-the-box comfort. In fact, our lead tester only wore these boots for a few hours before taking them on a rigorous weekend backpacking trip. The upper is flexible and conforms to feet really well with the lacing, though the fit is long and requires tighter lacing or thicker socks to make them feel truly snug. Underfoot cushion is not plush, but it's very good, striking a nice balance between protection from sharp rocks or roots underfoot and trail-cruising absorption.

Support

We felt confident and nimble in the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX boots. We were able to scramble over rocky outcroppings and step into brush when climbing over alpine deadfalls — and feel sure-footed doing it. They look a bit taller than other boots, but when we brought out the tape measure, they have a typical 1.5 inches of material under your heel, so the height is an optical illusion. The heel isn't as wide as some boots, which makes them feel more nimble off-trail because wider heels have a tendency to bounce off rocks and trailside debris on some steps, particularly when you're tired.

To push these boots to their limits, we wore these backpacking with a heavy 50-pound pack over steep and rugged terrain. The lightweight feel was a standout on uphill climbs and when stepping over deadfalls where a trail disappeared, and the aggressive lugs bit well, particularly on the downhill sections. This test proved they're a capable backpacking boot — but a slightly heavier boot for heavy packs would be smarter for most people.

Traction

Traction is awesome on anything dry. On loose forest debris, the deep 4mm lugs and particularly aggressive heel and perimeter lugs bite through to give us goat-like traction. We were able to grab on odd angles in mixed terrain that had sandy gravel, sticks, dirt, pine cones, and rocky slabs. In mud, the open tread pattern does a nice job of self-clearing as you walk.

Water Resistance

As we've come to expect from boots that use Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membranes, we experienced no leaks during testing. We could cruise through mountain streams and hike in the rain without getting our feet wet. With a flood height of 5.37 inches, which is a bit above average, our socks also stayed drier when walking through dewy meadows in the morning.

Weight

Our pair of large size 14 boots weighed just 2.10 pounds per pair, which is very impressive, especially for a waterproof boot. The Speed 2 Mid GTX feels like hiking shoes — and even weighs less than many shoes — but the ankle wrap provides good protection and support. Some might be able to size down a 1/2 size and shave even a bit more weight!

Durability

The only drawback to the Moab Speed 2 is that we have the sneaking suspicion that they may suffer from longevity issues compared to heavy-duty boots. Many parts of the upper material appear to be glued with some sort of adhesive, and those portions, which are sometimes cosmetic elements, seem likely to peel or fray. If you stay on trails and don't blast through forest brush, they'll likely last much longer. Most of the customer complaints we've seen seem to come from customers who have really put these boots through the wringer, hiking frequently for hundreds of miles. The most important non-cosmetic element is the fabric eyelets, which can fray or wear through over time. Ours haven't yet, but we are less likely to trust these boots for epic explorations than those that have more robust metal eyelets.

Should You Buy the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX?

If you hunger for a lightweight hiking boot that feels as agile as a shoe and has traction that sticks to the mountain with the agility of a bighorn sheep, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is worth a serious look. The biggest drawback is that its lightweight materials likely won't give you the mileage that we expect from premium boots, particularly those that use leather uppers.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX fits snugger and has better support, though it's not quite a cushy for on-trial cruising. Off-trail, though, its agility is even better than the Speed 2. If you want an agile, lightweight fit that maximizes toe space, the Altra Lone Peak Hiker 3 sometimes feels more like a slipper than a boot, though it's not waterproof. For a more durable option, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX uses a leather upper that's also comfortable out of the box.